Who are we?
Backyard Svalbard was created in 2019 by a team of passionate skiers fascinated by Arctic landscapes. All our guides are certified guides that have experience in Svalbard and are in constant search of creating the perfect instant for you.
Erlend Kjørsvik
CEO and Guide
He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide in Longyearbyen, and has in addition an AST 2 (Avalanche Safety Terrain 2) from Canada and a Ski&Avalanche certification from Alta. For Erlend there is no mountain side too steep, but he loves when he can cruise in "Svalbard powder" in 25-30°. Erlend has worked at in Svalbard for 4 years, and he knows many hidden treasures for skiers. You will mostly meet him on the field in winter time as he works mainly on office subject during the summer.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: Norwegian and English
E-mail: erlend@backyardsvalbard.com
Loup Supéry
CTO and Guide
He is made by real French quality as the saying goes. As Loup was born and raised in the Pyrenees, he knows mountains and how to travel on them. He is educated Arctic Nature Guide and has been working in Svalbard for 4 years. Whether it’s in winter time on skis or summer on foot, Loup will show you the wonders of this magical place with lots of local stories and fun fact about Svalbard. You might also meet his loyal fluffy companion, Winch the husky, on some trips.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: French, English, Spanish, Norwegian
e-mail: loup@backyardsvalbard.com
Philip Karch
Philip is what we could call a true modern explorer of Svalbard. He is educated Arctic Nature Guide and has made Svalbard into his little Backyard to explore under all the lights and all aspects. During his many expeditions, Philip has crossed Spitsbergen by skis from North to South in 2018 and kayaked a circumnavigation around Spitsbergen in 2021. He has done many seasons in the Arctic and Antarctic. This winter he looks forward to show you our backyard by skis. If you meet Philip, ask him to tell you the story of the bear that woke him up going through his tent… good laugh guaranteed.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: German, Norwegian and English
Sigurd Vangberg Vaadal
Sigurd is shining like the April sun on Svalbard in April. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and has decided to follow his heart to work with what he loves, the great outdoors, making him one of the happiest guides you can meet. He says that "life is best when legs are pointed forward while going down a steep couloir!".
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: Norwegian and English
Michel Afflerbach
Ski touring and Expedition Guide
Michel is incarnating kindness and attention to his guests to the fullest of its definition. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and fell in love with Svalbard and its nature. With his great knowledge of avalanches, Michel will guide you on ski trips all over the island during the winter season. Along a trip with Michel, you will also discover many amazing photo spots as Michel has an artistic eye and a gift to find the nice viewpoints.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: German, Norwegian and English
Niall Finch
Ski touring guide
Niall is bringing an Irish vibe to Svalbard with his super positive and eager mindset. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and loves to explore our amazing Backyard. Before coming to Svalbard, he skied his way around Canada and lived in New Zeeland for a while. This travelling soul has explored more than many around Spitsbergen since he lives here and this is just a start…
Arctic Nature Guide
Language: English
Jonas Haass
Ski touring and Expedition Guide
Jonas is a seasonal guide that loves to spend part of his winters on Svalbard. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and loves to splitboard Svalbard’s snow. Besides being a very eager ski guide, Jonas loves to take pictures, so do not hesitate to ask him for photo advice during your tour with him.
Arctic Nature Guide
Splitboarder
Languages: German and English
Jon Hørsdal Buckner
Expedition Guide
With many years of expereince on Svalbard, Jon joins our expedition team in Backyard Svalbard. Jon has good references from the expedition course in Svalbard Folkehøgskole (Folk high school) and from the study Arctic Nature Guide in Longyearbyen. Jon is a happy and peaceful norwegian, and you shall look forward to join a trip with him!
Arctic Nature Guide
Språk: Norsk og Engelsk
Amélie Roche
Amélie is our female guide shining like the April Sun. She is educated as a Svalbard Guide and has settled in Svalbard 6 years ago. She has guided almost every possible trip on Svalbard and still keeps an amazed gaze on every new day on the Island. A trip with Amelie is a trip with a little ball of energy sprinkled with a large smile and a lot of amazing stories.
Svalbard Guide Opplæring (SGO Education)
Languages : French, English and beginning Norwegian
Elida Langstein
Elida is a very adventurous woman demonstrating perfectly that guiding is not just a man’s world. She is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and has lived for 5 years on Svalbard. She loves new experiences and has among other things being living in Canada as a trapper. Nowadays she shares her time between Svalbard for expeditions and mainland Norway for her studies.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: Norwegian and English
Alexander Veie Fiskum
Backoffice and consulting
Alex is full of wanderlust and did his first Spitsbergen crossing in 2021. . He will be back for more, so you might even meet him in the field.
Leader of the board
Languages: Norwegian and English
Raphaël Deirmendjian
Raphael is a solid hiking and skiing guide with lots of experience from Svalbard and the French Alps. Rucksack on his back, he'll welcome you with a smile and show you the safe way up and down any mountain! If Raphaël isn't away guiding, he's probably hanging with ice axes and harness in the caves of Longyearbreen.
SGO Svalbard-guide 2023
Languages: French and English
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